Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
If Sam gets a game and looks completely out of place sit him or send him down. This group that has worked hard to get where they are has several passengers right now and these spots should be vunerable. Again I am looking at that Raymond-Granlund-Colborne line and asking what they have done to continue to earn their spots? This line gets pinned in their zone all the time and rarely generates scoring chances.
The players are not ignorant to the fact Sam is the franchises prized prospect. Many in that room likely see what young players such as Monahan and Gaudreua have done this year and resize Sam is considered a key piece along with them. He is not coming in to take a top 6 role, he would be replacing a line that has been pretty awful.
I juts don't buy for one second that the entire team will be pissed if Bennett comes in and gets a look over an under achiever. We are talking about a team that is being carried by Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler offensively. They need a spark
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I actually agree with you, they need a spark. I do however think the way a team responds to an unproven rookie is very different at the start of the year, or the middle of the year, versus right now, 4 games left with a playoff spot on the line. They don't have the time or energy to think about how to help Sam be better in the long run or teach him to be a pro right now because eventually that will help the team. They need him to pull his weight all on his own from the drop of the puck.
Anyway, regardless of what happens, the fact that the Flames are clearly debating this among themselves has to suggest they have some serious concerns on potential downside to this move. If was as easy as throw the kid in, see what he's got and if it doesn't work out he can sit after game one, it would be a no brainer. I'd suggest it's pretty obvious they see the timing of this as a very complicated decision.